Security forces nab Indian border guard

LAHORE: Pakistani security forces have arrested an Indian border guard for allegedly violating their de-facto border in the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir, officials said yesterday.

“An Indian national has been arrested who crossed into Pakistani territory,” a senior official from the paramilitary rangers said without elaborating on the circumstances of the arrest or the exact location.

Tasnim Aslam, a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office, confirmed the incident, which occurred on Wednesday.

“Yes, we have arrested an Indian border security official. He is currently under investigation and being treated very well,” she told a press briefing.

“A contact between the militaries of two countries was made yesterday and another contact is expected soon.”

“If he is not linked with any matter harming our security, and appears clear in the investigation, he may be released after complete investigation of the matter,” she added.

The two countries have fought two of their three wars as well as a smaller conflict over the territory, one of the most militarised zones in the world.

About a dozen rebel groups have been fighting Indian forces in the Muslim-majority region since 1989 for Kashmir to be made independent or incorporated within Pakistan.